Rise In Eating Disorders: How Can We Help?
Article by Ellie Morris
*Trigger Warning* This blog discusses eating disorders and disordered eating.
Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that are diagnosed using the DSM-5 criteria and are often incredibly misunderstood. Sadly, eating disorders do not discriminate and anyone of any gender, age, ethnicity, shape, or size can develop one at any time in their life. Some examples of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, as well as other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) (1).
What do the latest figures say?
The latest NHS figures, analysed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (2), suggest the number of hospital admissions for eating disorders has risen by 84% in the last 5 years. The survey revealed there were 11,049 more NHS hospital admissions in England for illnesses such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia in 2020-21 compared to figures recorded in 2015-16. There was also an alarming rise in the number of children and young people, as well as boys and young men, which saw increases of 35% and 128% respectively.
Where can I get support?
If you would like some further support then reaching out is one of the first steps forward to healing your relationship with food. Sometimes people may feel their eating disorder isn’t serious enough and they don’t want people’s time and resources, or they may feel embarrassed, or ashamed.
Individualised one-to-one support with specialist registered dietitians, psychologists, and doctors gives people the best chance of recovery and may reduce the risk of relapses. At the Rhitrition clinic we have some wonderful team members that can offer support and advice - email info@rhitrition.com or enquire here to improve your relationship with food for health and happiness.
There are also many other resources available including mental health and eating disorder charities such as BEAT and MIND, and you can see contact information below.
BEAT: Beat offers a range of support for the eating disorder community including online and telephone services. You can contact them on the following numbers: 0808 801 0677 (adult helpline), 0808 801 0711 (youthline) and 0808 801 0811 (studentline).
MIND: A fantastic mental health charity which also offers telephone, online and face to face support. You can reach them on their helpline: 0300 123 3393.
How to offer support to someone with an eating disorder
Getting professional help from specialist doctors, dietitians, and psychologists is paramount, however we know that this can be one of the hardest steps to take in an individual’s recovery journey. The NHS and BEAT have suggested some tips that you can follow which may help support someone you may know who is living with an eating disorder (3,4):
· Give your time, listen to them, and try not to give advice or criticise
· Educate yourself about eating disorders where you can
· Avoid discussing weight, shape, food, and diets in front of them
· Try where possible to model a balanced relationship with your own food and exercise routine
· Ask them what you can do to help and how they are feeling, rather than making assumptions
· Be supportive in all settings, including at meal times, when socialising, in difficult situations, and in the language you use
· Externalising the eating disorder by viewing it as a separate entity to the individual may also be helpful
Although it may be overwhelming at times, don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether you personally have an eating disorder or you know some else who has one. People living with eating disorders deserve the correct treatment and support and research suggests recovery is possible at any time.
Additional resources for healthcare professionals
The Royal College of Psychiatrists have recently published important new guidelines that helps to ensure that the care and management patients receive is of the highest quality. You can view this document here.
How to navigate the new legislations for including calories on the menus
The introduction of calories to restaurant menus as of April 2022, may be triggering for some people, especially for those living with an eating disorder. If this is something you experience, it may be helpful is to refrain from having the calories given or shown to you when in a restaurant. Perhaps ask the people you are with to read out the choices that are available to you or ask the waiting staff if there is a menu that does not show the calories. Food is about enjoyment and having fun, so instead of focusing on the numbers in front of you, think about the moment and the memories you are making with your loved ones.
Additionally, for people who may know someone who has or has previously had an eating disorder it is important to remember that the language we use when speaking to others as it may have a big impact on their feelings and can do more harm than good – even when we think we are being helpful. Try to be supportive and non-judgmental on both food choices and body shape, as well as offering compassion.
Additional resources
We have some fantastic blogs on the Rhitrition website, as well as some Food For Thought episodes that you may also find useful:
https://www.rhitrition.com/blog/could-adding-calories-to-menus-cause-issues
https://www.rhitrition.com/blog/calories-are-now-on-menus
https://www.rhitrition.com/blog/disordered-eating-how-to-break-the-cycle
https://www.rhitrition.com/blog/clean-eating-the-rise-of-orthorexia
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/letting-go-of-calorie-counting/id1441209943?i=1000535124671
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/breaking-disordered-eating-habits/id1441209943?i=1000538168135
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stop-binge-eating-for-good/id1441209943?i=1000485467567
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/living-with-eating-disorders/id1441209943?i=1000442492808
This blog was written by Ellie Morris, the Clinic Manager for Rhitrition and soon-to-been associated registered nutritionist. She is about to finish her MSc in Applied Human Nutrition at Oxford Brookes, and has previously completed an internship with Clarissa Lenherr Nutrition, and was an applied sports nutrition intern at the University of Birmingham. Ellie has also had some experience as part of the MyNutriWeb team to learn the behind the scenes of one of the UK’s leading nutrition CPD resources. She shares yummy meal and snack ideas over on her Instagram @nutritiouslyellie.
References:
(1) https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/eating-disorders/overview/